DVD Collectors Online

Baraka, a review by Danae Cassandra

Baraka
Year of Release: 1992
Directed By: Ron Fricke
Starring: Humanity
Genre: Documentary

Overview:
In the ancient Sufi language, it is a word that translates to 'the thread that weaves life together.' In the pantheon of modern cinema, it remains one of the most unique and acclaimed motion picture events of our time. Shot in breathtaking 70mm in 24 countries on six continents, BARAKA is a transcendent global tour that explores the sights and sounds of the human condition like nothing you've ever seen or felt before. These are the wonders of a world without words, viewed through man and nature's own prisms of symmetry, savagery, chaos and harmony.

My Thoughts:
If ever a movie should be called poetic, this is that movie.  This is most a work of art, a creation of tone, image, and theme.  It is also stunningly, magnificently beautiful.

Humanity reaches for, longs for, a spiritual connection.  Perhaps it is found in religion, perhaps in community, perhaps in nature.  But our commodified civilization, and humanity's cruelty (to each other, to other creatures, to nature) drive us away from each other and further from true spiritual connection. 

A film everyone ought to see, yet a film that is not for everyone.  A moving, powerful composition, meditative, forceful, simple and profound.

Bechdel Test: Not Applicable

Overall: 5/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on March 8th, 2015)

Curse of the Komodo, a review by addicted2dvd

Watched On: 3/5/2013

Curse of the Komodo (2003/) Trailer |IMDb | Director: Jim Wynorski Writing: Steve Latshaw (Original Material By) Length: 91 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround Subtitles:

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Stars:
Tim Abell as Jack
Melissa Brasselle as Tiffany
William Langlois as Phipps
Gail Harris as Dawn
Paul Logan as Drake
Glori-Anne Gilbert as Rebecca

Plot:
In an experiment gone wrong, genetically-engineered Komodo dragons have become monstrous creatures hunting humans on a remote tropical island and destroying everything in their path. Now it's up to a small group of scientists to stop the Komodos before they escape and devastate the rest of the world.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Closed Captioned

This is a film that was given to me a few years ago in a box full of free DVDs. It is pretty good for a low-budget horror... though I definitely seen better. There wasn't any really familiar names to me in this one. Usually I know at least one or two of the cast members... but not this time. Over-all I would say it is worth the time put in to watch it... just don't expect too much.



(From What Movies I Been Watching on March 9th, 2013)

"Stargate SG-1" Marathon, a review by DJ Doena

Synopsis: Harsesis has come to Abydos to learn more about his mother. But Oma Desala has made him forget the knowledge of the Goa'ulds. SG-1 tries anyway to access that knowlegde in the hope that Oma can make him forget again. Finally Daniel gets a glimpse of what it means to possess the entire knowledge of the Goa'uld.

My Opinion: "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Strangely it's always the humble Daniel who falls for the power and loses the empathy for his friends - just like it happened in Need. As a warning shot I liked this episode very much.

Synopsis: After the suicide of a SG member and Daniel's try to do the same, SG-1 visits the planet where they suspect the cause of this. There they find an addicting source of light and now they're stuck there.

My Opinion: Average episode, not much to say about it.

Synopsis: Carter is holding a lecture about wormhole physics at the US Air Force Academy while Jack and Teal'c babysit some scientists on a remote moon. A female cadet at the academy seems to be very gifted but she is also rebelious and faces expulsion. Carter shows her where she could go if she manages to finish the academy.

My Opinion: I really liked it when Cadet Hailey and Sam argued (scientifically) but one really sees that she has much to learn, especially about the responsibilites that come with having a command.
When she suggests to use the Zat'n'tkels again she refers to them as "Phaser things".

Synopsis: When the M.A.L.P. (Mobile Analytic Laboratory Probe) scans a remote planet to analyse of whether it's safe to go there it is drawn away from the Gate and into the air. Simultaneously a data stream reaches Earth that manifests itself as a program within the computers of the SGC.

My Opinion: For the second time an alien lifeform has taken over Major Carter's body and for the second time the lifeform has to sacrifice itself for a higher purpose and has to give the control back to Carter. The scene I liked the most was when Amanda Tapping only could speak through an audio synthesizer and could only work with her facial expressions. I also liked the opposite approaches of the warriors Jack and Teal'c and the scientists Sam and Daniel.

(From "Stargate SG-1" Marathon on March 29th, 2008)